Pro Pundits

What new Blank and Double Gameweek fixtures mean for our FPL teams and chip strategies

Fantasy Premier League managers have been handed some big out-of-the-blue decisions as we head into 2021.

Going into a new year is often a time for reflection and this article was supposed to be a review of the season so far but, as is often the case in this strange new world, there was a spanner in the works.

On New Year’s Eve, we learned that Burnley v Manchester United is joining the Blank Gameweek 18 schedule and Manchester City v Aston Villa has been place in Double Gameweek 19.

At the time of writing this announcement is still very fresh, and I need time to process it but here are some initial thoughts and what this all means.

Blank Gameweek 18

andys-gw17-article 3

Those without chips will likely find this period much easier to navigate now. Burnley and Manchester United now playing in Gameweek 18 brings into play players like Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) who a lot of people already have in their team.

It also makes other players like Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) and Nick Pope (£5.4m) a little more desirable as they play in Gameweek 18 and then have a Double Gameweek.

It also means some teams will be able to save their Free Hit chip which could be very handy later on in the season when we see more Blank Gameweeks.

A lot of this will be chip dependant, but if you already have a team full of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool you’re probably in a good place to cover Gameweek 18 and the doubles in Gameweek 19.

Manchester City More Desirable

andys-gw17-article 4

With Manchester City now having one of the best pair of fixtures in Double Gameweek 19, and playing in Gameweek 18, it makes them much more desirable to bring in if you haven’t already.

After Chelsea (away) in Gameweek 17 the fixtures look like this:

  • Gameweek 18 – Brighton (home)
  • Gameweek 19 – Crystal Palace (home), Aston Villa (home)
  • Gameweek 20 – West Brom (away)
  • Gameweek 21 – Sheffield United (home)
  • Gameweek 22 – Burnley (away)

Not only do they cover both Gameweek 18 and 19 well with very good fixtures, but the run continues afterwards. A double or triple up looks ideal.

Who to target from Man City is, as ever, the key question.

The obvious options are Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m), João Cancelo (£5.6m) and Rúben Dias (£5.7m). I’ll be targeting at least two of this three over this fixture run.

Manchester City have looked extremely good defensively and I don’t know how Cancelo hasn’t gotten more than one assist so far. And despite people losing faith in De Bruyne, he’s still going to be a great option over this run.

It also arguably makes De Bruyne a better captaincy in Gameweek 19 than Mohamed Salah (£12.6m), who faces Manchester United (home) and Burnley (home) although I’d never bet against the Egyptian.

There are other players to consider too. John Stones (£4.9m) looks like an absolute bargain now that he has laid claim to his starting role, and we shouldn’t forget that Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) has two goals and three assists in his last five matches.

Hold Aston Villa?

andys-gw17-article 7

While people were Wildcarding away from Aston Villa players, and ditching the likes of Jack Grealish (£7.7m) it may not be the worst time to hold. You still have to get through a Manchester United (away) match in Gameweek 17 and Tottenham Hotspur (home) in Gameweek 18, but after that they have a Double Gameweek and a decent enough fixture run from Gameweek 20:

  • Gameweek 20 – Burnley (away)
  • Gameweek 21 – Southampton (away)
  • Gameweek 22 – West Ham (home)
  • Gameweek 23 – Arsenal (home)
  • Gameweek 24 – Brighton (away)

At the bare minimum it gives a lot of us a Double Gameweek goalkeeper in Emiliano Martínez (£5.0m). Even if the matches are tricky with Everton (home) and Manchester City (away), only Ederson (£6.0m) has a better save percentage among regularly-starting goalkeepers over the last four matches.

The return of Ross Barkley (£5.9m) may spell the end of a run in the team for Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m) or Anwar El Ghazi (£5.8m) but if either of them continue through to Gameweek 19 they become a great budget enabler, especially El Ghazi while he’s on penalty duty.

Abandoning our chip strategies

andys-gw17-article 5

I was convinced I was going to Bench Boost in Gameweek 19. Even with single Gameweek players I was prepared to play the chips and my initial transfer for Gameweek 17 was to bring in Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) in preparation.

The problem now is the layout has changed and we have to be prepared to adapt. This is likely something we have to bear in mind for the rest of the season, I’m sure there’s more chaos in store.

For some managers it will be easy, they’ll still Free Hit in Gameweek 18, only now there’s more options. And they’ll Bench Boost in Gameweek 19 because they’re already loaded up with enough players.

But for others we still have to change strategies and it’s important not to be rigid in your thinking.

This was my team before transfers in Gameweek 17:

andys-gw17-article 6

As mentioned above, Johnstone was to come in this week with a Free Hit in Gameweek 18 and Fabián Balbuena (£4.4m) to be my Gameweek 19 transfer. It would have meant some single Gameweek players on the bench, but I was okay with that.

But now there’s the potential of bringing in Manchester City players for Gameweek 18 and 19, therefore potentially meaning I can save the Free Hit. The Bench Boost might have to be abandoned too, but I’m prepared to adapt as necessary.

It’s still too fresh in my mind to make a plan, it looks like my New Years Eve will be way more busy from an FPL point of view than I’d imagined, but I’ll have to think of ways to adapt than to rigidly stick to my plan if it’s not as viable any more.

Final Thoughts

It’s not the ideal time to be processing all of this information. We’re just past Christmas having had two Gameweek deadlines in the space of two days, ahead of what for many is a time of celebration as we enter the new year.

But if there’s some comfort it’s that this chaos usually means those who are willing to plan and create strategies can get ahead of the crowd. So while you’re suffering from the New Years hangover, just keep thinking of the green arrows.

1,360 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Nay08
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Stones+Woods or Dias+Benteke/McGoldrick

    1. HippY
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      First one imo

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tiger Woods? Or Chris Wood?

      1. Nay08
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        oh yeah no S in his name lol. it's Chris wood from Burnley

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Wouldn’t touch Burnley mate and don’t like Benteke or Sheffield who are useless. Stones and Watkins work?

          1. Nay08
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            already have Watkins.
            I have my reasoning but my comment keeps getting cut. not posted in full, idk why. that's why i settle on the simple question above lol.
            hmm let me try.

            so Wood is just for a cover in dgw19. in case my injury happens or something. plus this week they play FUL.
            Benteke or McGoldrick is just a punt for 17 and 18 (which their fixtures are not bad imo.) to have fund for getting the safer pick in Dias rather than Stones.

            1. Nay08
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              oh hey it works haha

  2. funnyoldgame
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry, can't figure this out.

    If I make a free transfer in wk 17, but then also decide to play my Free Hit in the same game week, will that initial transfer still be in my team in game week 18?

    1. HippY
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope, gone!

      1. funnyoldgame
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        that's what I thought. I was just trying to work out how many changes I could make before the double.

    2. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Obviously not. Unreal how often this has been asked 😆

        1. ‘Tis the Season
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Crazy after 11 years

          1. funnyoldgame
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            just wanted to be sure. I'm not usually so concerned about the week immediately following my Free Hit.

          2. HippY
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Tbh I've played FPL 14 years and still had to ask. I don't recall ever using FH/BB chip before, how many years has it been in? I often set + forget

          3. Pinturicchio10
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I do sometimes wonder why I ever even bother posting here at all.

      • ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What are the chances of Shaw playing both DGW games?

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Not with Telles fit I'd imagine

        2. Jealous Viper
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Think Telles gets a game but Ole could play 5 atb against Pool and Shaw plays as LCB so shaw could start both

        3. ‘Tis the Season
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks Both

      • Jealous Viper
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Do I
        A. Go De Gea and Saka in for Mccarthy and Salah for a hit? Feel convinced DDG will outscore Mccarthy over the next 7 to 8 weeks especially given the blank

        Or
        B. Keep Mccarthy and go Salah to Zaha?

        Other move is Welbeck to Kane (c) which I'm settled on for the next 2 but have plans to get Salah back.
        Have 2ft

        1. HippY
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Anyone else apart from Salah to sacrifice?

          1. Jealous Viper
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Other premium mids are Bruno and KDB so playing the fixtures game. Will bring Salah back in for Kane for his double

        2. FPL_Mou
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Zaha+McCarthy outscores Saka+DDG long term imo

          1. Jealous Viper
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Do you think they do so even with the blank factored in

      • HippY
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This could get messy, 1 letter, number and symbol please!

        A)Soucek (eve)
        B)Adams (LIV)

        1)Coufal (eve)
        2)KWP (LIV)
        3)Stones (che)

        @)McCarthy (LIV)
        &) Meslier (tot)

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          To start?

          1. HippY
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yes

            1. Whazza
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              B1&

        2. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A3&

        3. Gunners in Haaland
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A1&

        4. HippY
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          For what it's worth I'm currently on B3@ - but it doesn't feel good/right, but very little does with these choices

        5. Bronski
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A1&

        6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          B1@

        7. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          B 1 @

      • SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Start soucek or saka?

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Saka

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers Whazza

        2. Salan
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I don't trust Arsenal (players).

      • Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Premier League release statement as Burnley vs Fulham Premier League fixture plunged into doubt

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Link?

            1. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Old article

        2. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Think this is a few days old.

        3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Written on 30th Dec

      • _Gunner
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Taylor > Justin for FT yes or no?

        Current defense: Mitchell Dallas Coufal and Stones

        1. Bronski
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yes too many doubts over ful/bur fixture

      • Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Repost due to no response

        Here are the players I could have for BGW18 -

        Stones, Dias, Saka, Bruno, Son, Kane, Watkins

        Would you suggest that I just use FH to bring in more/enhanced players?

        1. FPL_Mou
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No. You have all the main options. Can you get kdb/rashford using a FT?

        2. Scots Gooner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Honestly, I'd rather hang ontobthe free hit and just play what you've got. I doubt I'll put out a full XI in 18.

      • Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thoughts on Grealish and DCL to Rashford and Antonio? Team currently is

        Martinez
        Robbo Holding Dias
        Son Bruno Zaha Grealish
        DCL Bamford Kane

        Mccarthy Justin James Podence

        1. Bronski
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I say its a good shout (based on you not needing Antonio for GW18 blank)

      • King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Can I get away with saving FT this week to see which of my defenders start this week?

        Will look to get in double city defence for gw 18

        Martinez Meslier
        TAA Konsa* Coufal Taylor* Mitchell*
        Salah Bruno Son Raphinha Anguissa
        Kane Bamford Adams

        1FT 1.7 ITB

      • Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        How'm I looking lads? GTG?

        Any other Son cappers?

        Martinez
        Zouma Dallas Cresswell
        Salah Bruno Son(c) Soucek
        DCL Bamford Vardy
        (Forster Raphinha Kilman Taylor)

        1. Bronski
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Son(c) for me

      • tinear
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Help needed guys.

        Martinez
        Zouma, Stones, Taylor
        Salah, Son, Bruno, Raphinha
        Kane, Bamford, DCL

        Steer, Ayling, Bissouma, Mitchell
        2ft 3.3itb

        Planned to ship Taylor and Mitchell to Pieters and Robbo.

        Leaving me with
        Robbo, Pieters, Zouma, Ayling, Stones

        Who to bench?
        Or only Taylor to Robbo and start Robbo, Zouma, Stones?

      • Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Happy new year!. G2g here? 2mitb 0ft.

        Planning to free hit 18 and kane and soucek to kdb and adams / antonio for bb19

        Johnstone (martinez)
        Robbo dias dallas (coufal balbuena)
        Salah bruno grealish raphinha (soucek)
        Kane (c) Bamford Watkins

        Thanks

        1. HippY
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Looks good, only negative is no spurs vs SHU, I know they only play once that GW but it's a possible cricket score kind of game

          1. Flynny
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            You can't have them all!!

      • estheblessed
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What to do here? 1FT and £0.2m

        Martinez
        Cancelo, Dier, Balbuena
        Son, Grealish, Bruno, Salah
        Kane, Bamford, DCL

        Nyland, Taylor, Anguissa, Kilman

      • Cahill
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        so lost 🙁

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Me too mate

          1. Cahill
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            was all set until city/villa fixtures got thrown in!

            1. Vazza
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Me too

        2. Bronski
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I know! Just remember another big DGW planned for around GW26/9 so if you can i would take odd hits to get you through at mo as too many doubts to plan long term

      • Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Repost due to no response-

        Here are the players I could have for BGW18 -

        Stones, Dias, Saka, Bruno, Son, Kane, Watkins

        Would you suggest that I just use FH to bring in more/enhanced players?

        1. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No, 2 or 3 transfers and you'll be ok

          1. Vazza
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            This already is after 3 transfers with a 4 point hit

            1. funnyoldgame
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              you still have one more transfer before 18 so I'd stick with 8.

        2. funnyoldgame
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A FT and possibly a hit would get you 9 players. I'd be very happy with that. I only have 5 playing in GW18 so a Freehit is much more beneficial for me.

      • Pointless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What chances Balbuena gets back in West Ham team? I brought him and Taylor in two game weeks ago!

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          100% in. He was only rested as WHU had games quick at succession

        2. estheblessed
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I bought the same two and they both blanked!

      • tabby98
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Mccarthy
        Robbo, Justin, Stones
        Bruno, Salah, Son, Raphinha
        Bamford, Vardy, Adams

        Johnstone | Soucek, Alioski, Coufal

        Whats the right starting 11 here guys??

      • House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Would a projected GW19 team of 12 playing Double Gameweekers plus Holding, Smith-Rowe and Son (all whom have kind fixtures that week) be worth using a BB chip for?

        Would also have to take a -8 hit for this

        1. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yes. Good single GWs are always good on BB IMO,

      • wolves_simmo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Any pressers today?

      • Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Happy New Year all

        G2G? Unsure re who I’m benching. Armband is a toss up. Keep switching between Son and Bruno!

        Martinez
        Robbo, Dias, Dallas
        Salah, Bruno (v), Son (C), Raphinha, Soucek
        Kane, Bamford
        (Forster) (Coufal, Adams, KWP)

        Plan to FH in 18 and BB in 19. Will either bring in Vardy and Rashford for Kane and Son or find a way to get in KDB depending on how he looks.

        Cheers and GL!

        1. Bronski
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I think Son/Bruno capts in that order for next 2 but there is a case for Permabruno

      • diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Tough fixtures this GW. A lot of top-half teams playing each other:

        Everton (4th) vs West Ham (10th)
        Man Utd (2nd) vs Aston Villa (5th)
        Chelsea (6th) vs Man City (8th)
        Southampton (9th) vs Liverpool (1st)

        Might be a good week for Arsenal, Wolves, Leicester, and Burnley.

      • FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Transfers on FH count for price rises or they are like WC transfers?

        1. rokonto
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I think u lose the profit

        2. rainy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Same as WC

      • rokonto
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What's happening with Saiss? Plays the first 6 games, then misses 5 games, then plays the next 5!
        Is he nailed now or whar?

        1. rokonto
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          *or what?

        2. Bronski
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          In superb form attack and defence, cant believe hes not nailed

      • SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bench one of these.

        A. Dallas Tot a
        B. Coufal eve a
        C. Zouma mci h

        1. Piksau
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Punt: Dallas
          Stable Choice: Coufal
          Pure attacking return potential: Zouma

      • Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Happy New Year Fam!

        Seriously don't know what to do with this team! 1 FT 0.1 ITB FH18 BB19

        McCarthy Johnstone
        Dallas Coufal Taylor Justin Balbuena
        Salah Mane Bruno Son Soucek
        Adams Bamford Wood

        Please suggest something!

      • akhilrajau
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Martinez, Johnstone
        Robortson, Coufal, Dallas,Taylor, Mitchell
        Bruno, Son, Salah, Podence,Soucek
        Adams, Kane, Bamford
        bank: 1.7m, FT: 0

        Based on gw 19 which is the best one -4 hit

        A. Mitchell -> Stones ( rotation risk but nixe fixtures after gw 19 also)
        B. Taylor -> Wan-bissaka
        V. Any other

        1. akhilrajau
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Sorry bank is only 1.0

      • S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Maguire better option than Cancelo?

        Both have good fixture before and after dgw but Harry is probably more likely to play.

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          You're forgetting City have a great defence and United a meh one

          1. S.Kuqi
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            True 😀

        1. CONNERS
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks